STATEMENT OF MRS. ILENE GIPSON, ARKANSAS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH SOCIETY

Mrs. GIPSON. My name is Ilene Gipson. I'm a representative of the Arkansas Environmental Research Society. We are a group of students, faculty, and professionals, trained in various sciences, who have joined in an effort to collect unbiased data pertinent to such Government environmental projects as requiring environmental impact state

ments.

Our membership represents much experience regarding the ecological, zoological, botanical, and physiographic regions of Arkansas. We support H.R. 8382 and maintenance of the river in its natural state for the following specific reasons:

No. 1-is a unique area, and this alone justifies preservation.

No. 2-we feel the river offers opportunity for ecological investigation of natural areas as well as providing a living museum for the lay observer.

No. 3-the area hosts several species endemic to the Ozarks and would serve as a reservoir for these.

If we are to preserve the stream in some semblance of its natural state, we feel there is a definite urgency in passage of H.R. 8382. Thank you.

Mr. TAYLOR. Thank you, and your statement will be included in the record in its entirety.

(The statement referred to is in letter that follows:)

Hon. Roy A. TAYLOR,

ARKANSAS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH SOCIETY,
Fayetteville, Ark., October 15, 1971.

Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks and Recreation, House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Longworth Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: This statement pertains to House Bill HR 8382, proposing establishment of the Buffalo National River in Arkansas.

We are a group of students, faculty, and professionals trained in various sciences who have joined in an effort to collect unbiased data pertinent to such governmental projects as require environmental impact statements. Our membership represents much experience and knowledge regarding ecological, zoological, botanical, and physiographic features of Arkansas. Because of this familiarity with the State, we are interested in those governmental actions affecting regions within the State. We therefore take this opportunity to voice our opinion regarding the Buffalo River in the Ozark Mountain region of Arkansas.

Arkansas is a unique state in that it has four distinct physiographic regions. The Mississippi Delta is a flat region with unusually fertile soil and occupies roughly the eastern fourth of the state. The Gulf Coastal Plain in southern Arkansas is characterized by gently rolling hills and mixed pine-hardwood forests, the Ouachita Mountains in west central Arkansas, formed by intensive surface foldings have a mixed pine-hardwood forest cover. The Ozark Mountain region of northwest and northcentral Arkansas includes the area in question. The Ozark Mountains are unique in the world. They were formed from an ancient dome of sedimentary rock which has been eroded into steep ridges, valleys and plateaus by fast flowing streams.

Thus Arkansas has a broad spectrum of habitat types and supports diverse flora and fauna which include species characteristic of both western and eastern United States. People seldom realize this diversity exists in Arkansas.

Alteration of the environment has and is occurring at a rapid pace, especially in the Delta and Ozark Mountain regions. The rugged bills of the Ozark and the swampy regions of the Delta delayed agricultural development. However, since it has become technologically feasible, drainage and subsequent clearing have decreased hardwood forests on the Delta from 4.0 million acres in 1935 to

1.0 million in 1969. In the Ozark Mountain region the forest cover is being removed by aerial spraying and/or bulldozing for pastureland and commercial development. In 1969 approximately 60% of the Ozark Mountain region remained forested (Van Sickle, 1970). In addition there is an influx of people, therefore much building and land speculation is occuring.

In order to understand ecological implications of current land alterations, one must have "control" or "natural areas" for comparison. We therefore feel some areas should be preserved in their natural state. The Buffalo River would represent such an area. Maintenance could b effected by an agency such as the National Park Service.

Two other possible alternatives for this natural resource are: (1) damming, (2) leaving the river in its current status.

We feel that damming would destroy the natural resource and lessen the diversity of the area, since it is the last major free flowing stream in the Ozarks. If the stream should be left at its current status it will be altered drastically. Recent personal observations of our members include land clearing along the river banks, gravel operations in the river and an instance of dumping of garbage into the river from an overhanging bluff.

We support HR 8382 and maintenance of the river in its natural state for the following specific reasons:

(1) World wide uniqueness of the area justifies preservation.

(2) We feel the river offers opportunity for ecological investigation of "natural areas" as well as providing a "living museum" for the lay observer. (3) The area hosts several species endemic to the Ozarks and would serve as a reservoir for these.

If we are to preserve this stream in some semblance of its natural state, we feel there is a definite urgency in passage of HR 8382. Respectfully submitted.

STEVE WILSON,

Chairman.

PHILIP GIPSON,

Cochairman.

ILENE GIPSON.

Mr. TAYLOR. State Senator Jim Caldwell is the next witness.

Is Senator Caldwell here?

Our next witness is Thomas E. Allen, attorney, accompanied by P. W. Yarborough.

STATEMENT OF THOMAS E. ALLEN, ATTORNEY, ACCOMPANIED BY P. W. YARBOROUGH

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the committee, I hope I have more than just 2 or 3 minutes, because it will take me just a little bit longer than that to make my presentation.

If we're going to run out of time, I'd like to defer it until later this afternoon or until tomorrow morning.

Can you give me an idea about how much time we're going to have at this moment before your bell rings?

Mr. TAYLOR. I hope you can do it in 5 minutes, unless you have extra material.

Mr. ALLEN. I will do my best.

Mr. TAYLOR. We're anxious to get all the facts we can with regard to the proposal.

Mr. ALLEN. I believe you have a copy of the statement we've submitted.

Mr. TAYLOR. It will be placed in the record at this point, Mr. Allen. (The statement referred to follows:)

STATEMENT OF P. W. YARBOROUGH, REPRESENTED BY THOMAS E. ALLEN, ATTORNEY, OVERLAND PARK, KANS.

HEADQUARTERS PROPERTY LOCATION

The Valley Y Ranch is located approximately 12 miles from the county seat town of Jasper in Newton County, Arkansas, and the nearest town of any size being Harrison, which is approximately 25 miles away in Boone County. It is located east of the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas, approximately 65 miles and a like distance from the city of Springdale, Arkansas, both on the west.

The attached Plate 1 shows a map of the boundaries of the property and location within the proposed park area. This property encompasses approximately 5 miles on both sides of the Buffalo River, commencing just below the low water bridge, where Highway 74 crosses the Buffalo and extending northeast beyond Big Bluff, designated on the proposed park map.

This property was accumulated over a 20-year period. The largest portion is located at the ranch headquarters and consists of eleven pieces of property, which were acquired during this period of time. The adjacent property, which is an integral part of the commercial operation, was acquired in two tracts.

SOIL CONSERVATION

When these properties were first acquired, the soil had been sadly depleted through years of row cropping without any form of fertilization. Since that time, through the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Newton County Agent, a scientific, systematic program has been followed requiring extensive fertilization and liming to bring the soil back to its present high state of fertility. Ponds, terraces and contouring have been developed in order to stop rapid run-off and retain moisture. In former years, because of the row cropping and innundation of the slopes and valley floor whenever the river rose during the rainy seasons, the river was always heavy with silt and very muddy. Due to our soil conservation practices, which have resulted in grass growing to the water's edge of the stream, when the river now rises, it remains clear, which is proof that we have stopped pollution in our area.

Originally, the river had done great damage in some cases by cutting through the fields in flood stage, with continued erosion year after year. A great deal of money was spent and it took years with heavy equipment to doze and fill these cuts and contour the fields down to the water's edge, so that with heavy run-offs, the river would have sufficient room and do no further damage.

We have not permitted the timber to be harvested, even when over-ripe. In those areas of particular significance and beauty, we have not and would not under any circumstances permit them to be changed or despoiled or altered in any way.

No longer is there any row cropping and lush grass now covers all of these old stubbled barren fields. Likewise, the brush-covered eroded slopes have now been contoured and terraced and controlled with an established grass land program.

Brush has been cleared from old pastures and replaced with permanent grasses; we have supported the conservation efforts of the various wildlife groups; we have established food and cover, which has brought back the quail where previously there were none; cottontail rabbits are again in evidence; deer graze in our meadows and we have done everything possible to prevent the killing and destruction of wild life. Furthermore, the entire length of our holdings now present a much more beautiful pastoral scene and everyone who has visited the ranch, including individuals, national magazines, Arkansas newspapers, television stations from both inside and outside the state who have filmed for their programs, as well as nationally known concerns making pictures for brochures, greeting cards and calendars, have repeatedly expressed their appreciation for the beauty, which is in part due to conservation by us in the valley and along the stream. Twenty years ago, this would not have been true. To quote a letter received from the Ozarks Wilderness Waterways Club:

"On a recent Memorial Day weekend, our group made a two-day float on the upper part of the Buffalo River . . . we took the liberty of camping beneath the Big Bluff and enjoyed its wonders all over again. Thanks for leaving your property 'unposted' and allowing us the privilege of camping on the bar."

In another letter received from the Ozarks Waterways Club, the letter states: "May I tell you what a beautiful piece of property you own and also extend my thanks and those from the group who were privileged to camp on the bar.”

BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS

A horse and cattle operation such as ours requires extensive facilities and improvements. One major facility is our arena and sales pavilion, which has an overall size of 17,376 square feet, with a clear span of 60 x 132 feet, in which there is office facilities, eating facilities and meeting facilities for the 4-H groups and others who utilize the building for other than our ranch needs. These facilities are centrally air-conditioned. There is a main horse stable, involving 8,900 square feet, which is modern in every respect, even to living facilities for stable help. There is another stable facility, which is incorporated with a large hay barn and sheds totalling 9,264 square feet. There is a total of twenty-three buildings, including a modern machine shop, a separate blacksmith shop, a fully mechanized grain center with an overall square footage for all buildings totalling 61,992 square feet under roof.

There is one main dwelling of approximately 2,500 square feet of living area, which was the first all-electric home in Newton County. There is another fully modern dwelling of approximately 2,000 square feet and a third dwelling of over 1,000 square feet. There are living quarters for three families, as well as a bunk house for eight men. The fair market value of these buildings exceeds $669,000.00. Included with these buildings are underground water lines to all buildings, underground power supply, and underground telephone lines. Plate II shows a map of the headquarters ranch and buildings.

Our main private road is 1.3 miles from the main entrance at State Highway 74. It required more than one year to build with heavy equipment and maintains an almost constant grade with sweeping curve from the valley floor to the main entrance on top of the mountain. There are concrete culverts with steel stock guards, some of which required more than $5,000.00 in the construction. The main entrance cost will be more than $10,000.00

While the sanitation system for the various plumbing facilities in the buildings relate to septic tanks, lateral fields extend to one main line, which terminates in a disposal settling basin 100 x 50 x 12 feet deep, in which the filter aggregate is graduated from very course rock to fine gravel at the surface, providing purification leaching, as well as capillary action, which prevents any possibility of pollution ever reaching the Buffalo River.

COMMERCIAL HORSE OPERATION

Over the years we have established an Arabian horse breeding herd of national importance. This has been a slow, arduous and expensive task. We also raise fine quarter horses. Our horse operation has brought publicity to the state of Arkansas and our ranch, and the accomplishments of our stable has brought an ever-widening scope of attention. Some of our horses have not only won state and regional championships but national as well and we have sold our get from coast to coast; in some instances over the telephone and involving thousands of dollars without the animal having been seen. Also, we have sold some of our get before the foals were born.

We mention these things because you can appreciate the years of hard work, know-how, and investment that is required to reach this point. Our horses have been featured on the front cover of national magazines, and one as recently as the September 1971 issue of the Arabian Horse News. Also, a national greeting card concern has featured some of our horses in their calendars and greeting cards, giving full credit to Valley Y Ranch.

The location for our ranch was carefully selected after searching for a number of years for a location that provided climate, freedom from noise, shelter from winter elements, potential for year-round grass pastures, and possibly most important of all-clear pure water. This is afforded the entire length of the ranch property, which was of prime consideration in selecting the present site for the horse and cattle operation.